Admission Requirements
- Applicants must satisfy the Graduate School’s Minimum Admission Requirements.
- Applications will be evaluated based on individual merit. While there is no strict requirement that PhD applicants have completed an MA degree, it is generally recommended as preparation. Prospective students are encouraged to speak with their potential faculty advisers for further guidance or clarification regarding their applications.
PhD Degree Requirements
At the time of their graduation, students in the PhD program must satisfy the Doctoral Degree requirements set by the Graduate School and the Department.
- A minimum of 90 credits (including a minimum of 27 dissertation credits, ASIAN 800). Note: With program approval, any number of credits from a UW Asian L&L MA, or up to 30 credits from a relevant, accredited MA from outside the UW, will count toward the PhD coursework requirement.
- A 3.0 cumulative GPA
- A “third” language
- Three Field Examinations
- PhD General Examination
- Dissertation Prospectus
- Dissertation
- PhD Final Examination (dissertation defense)
I. Language Requirement
In addition to English and their primary research language, the student must
II. Field Examinations
Students pursue advanced studies in three distinct fields, each of which is supervised by a different Doctoral Supervisory Committee member.
III. PhD General Examination
After the above field requirements have been fulfilled and the third language requirement has been satisfied, the student must take and pass an oral General Examination for admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree.
IV. Dissertation Prospectus
The candidate is expected to present to their Reading Committee a detailed Prospectus explaining the topic of their projected dissertation, its originality and significance, a bibliography of works related to the topic, and the feasibility of the plan in view of the time and resources available.
V. Dissertation
After achieving Doctoral Candidate (PhC) status, the student engages in research and the writing of their dissertation under the direction of their Doctoral Supervisory Committee (which also functions as the Reading Committee unless otherwise specified).
VI. PhD Final Examination (Dissertation Defense)
When the Doctoral Supervisory Committee deems the student ready, a final examination will be conducted in which the dissertation is evaluated. When the final examination has been passed and the result has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School, then the requirements are complete and the degree is granted.